Bleeding Gums in Finchley

Gum disease describes the swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

‘Periodontitis’ is the dental term used to describe an inflammatory infection that involves progressive loss of bone beneath the teeth.  When left untreated, this causes the affected teeth to loosen and eventually fall out.   As a result, we strongly recommend you see our dental hygienists regularly. Everyone needs a good oral clean, usually every six months, but some patients may need to go more often.

There are many causes of gum disease and these can vary from patient to patient.  Poor oral hygiene factors are the most common cause of gum disease.  If you are inconsistent with brushing and flossing, you are allowing plaque and tartar to build up and multiply in your mouth.  When you consume food and drink in high sugars, the acid can begin to break down your tooth’s surface, therefore causing tooth decay and the start of moderate to severe gum disease.

As well as poor hygiene, your lifestyle and diet choices can also contribute.  You are much more likely to develop bleeding gums and gum disease if you smoke and drink excessively.  Moreover, if you suffer from diabetes – a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high – then you are particularly at risk.  This means that it is all the more reason to visit us as “80% of teeth are saved by regular dental hygiene appointments with good oral health care habits.”

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.  Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease.  There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth.  As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out. In fact, more teeth are lost through periodontal disease than through tooth decay.

Periodontal treatment is the best treatment for treating moderate to severe gum disease.  The treatment goal is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to the surrounding bone.  The treatment is highly effective and your dental hygiene will benefit from your gums becoming significantly healthier and your teeth feeling firmer.

It’s essential to treat bleeding gums as they are a clear indicator of gum disease.  There are various stages of gum disease – including Gingivitis and Periodontitis – and the earlier we can intervene, the better.  Treating bleeding gums and gum disease will help to prevent tooth loss and decrease your risk factors of developing dental conditions in the future.

Most people suffer from some level of gum disease, especially as it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK.  The disease develops very gradually in most people, and it can be slowed down to a rate that should enable you to keep most of your teeth for the rest of your life.  This however, is only possible if you have regular dental and hygiene appointments and you adhere to a full oral health recommendation at home as instructed by your dental hygienist.

All gum disease is caused by plaque.

Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums daily.  Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless; however there are some types that have been proven to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to ensure that you regularly remove all the plaque from your teeth every day.  This can be done effectively by brushing and flossing properly.